Obama makes midnight visit to Dover Air Force Base to honor fallen soldiers

Thursday 29th October, 03:13 PM JST

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

› Login to comment

Latest 15 of 54 Total Comments Show All

RomeoRamenII at 03:27 AM JST - 30th October

I'm thinking back to when W decided that there would be no coverage of either the transport, unloading or, even, burials of fallen soldiers.

Wrong. That decision was made during Clinton's administration. But, hey, don't take my word for it. From this article:

The Pentagon this year lifted its 18-year ban on media covering the return of U.S. service members killed in action if family permission is provided.

Next time, how about reading the story before posting.
RomeoRamenII at 03:48 AM JST - 30th October

Vietnam = U.S got their ass kicked. Running with tail between the legs.

Having served in combat in that one I seem to recall a thing called The Paris Peace Accords signed in 1972.

Korea = North Korea is still there.

A peace treaty has yet to be signed between NK and the U.N.; hence, that war is still not officially over.
Hehehohohaha at 06:17 AM JST - 30th October

Having served in combat in that one I seem to recall a thing called The Paris Peace Accords signed in 1972.

Did the Paris Peace Accords mandate a roof top exit?

As for the POTUS to witness the price of American foreign policy roll onto the tarmac, I think it is always a good idea. It is also PR, but then again you can say any record of the POTUS doing something is a PR event. But images do have meaning. Obama went in the middle of the night to witness the return of the fallen. I never could understand why Bush could not have done the same.
yabits at 07:09 AM JST - 30th October

Wrong. That decision [of the Pentagon to ban the media from covering the return of the fallen] was made during Clinton's administration. But, hey, don't take my word for it.

Let's see: Eighteen years back from 2009 puts us in November of 1991. That would be the administration of George H.W. Bush.
yabits at 07:11 AM JST - 30th October

Re: the previous should read -- "November of 1991 at the latest."
Hehehohohaha at 07:27 AM JST - 30th October

> RR: Wrong. That decision was made during Clinton's administration. But, hey, don't take my word for it.

Don't worry we won't.
adaydream at 01:19 PM JST - 30th October

What isn't for show sometimes. I mean I hear how he's using this as a photo opportunity. Gosh sure. Kinda like george bush riding onto the USS Lincoln and strutting across the ship with the flakjacket and the "Mission Accomplished" banner waving in the back.

It doesn't make the act wrong in it self. But strictly showboating like the USS Lincoln deal and the republicans see nothing wrong. < :-)
ProfJuanColePhd at 02:37 PM JST - 30th October

My fear is that yes, this will become Pres. Obama's Mission Accomplished moment.
skipthesong at 03:40 PM JST - 30th October

I would have been happier if there had not been any cameras! Hope we only hear of it. Noticed that the cameras were on him and not those of the coffins.
Alphaape at 05:30 PM JST - 30th October

SushiSake3, FYI, I have served my country with 20 plus years in the USN. So if they let me back in, I would go (actually, I will have to anyway since even though I am retired, I am still on the list to be called back up at the President's discretion).

So be mindful of what you post, others may actually know what they are talking about in these matters.
skipthesong at 06:13 PM JST - 30th October

sushi: I served. I did my time and if need be, I'd do it again. it is not me what they need, they need leadership who isn't afraid of losing political points. So to the writer of the Huff and puff post, let him or her try it for even a short time - heck without having to go into combat. I feel those of us who have served have every right to make an opinionated statement. I don't recall losing that right. When was the last time you pulled a bullet out of someone or have had to try to figure whose body parts belong to who? Unless you've been there, I would ask you quit trying silence us. We do at times come up with valid points. And of all people, you back a lady like Huffington....

lastly, it would have been a lot better if MSNBC hadn't used the moment to say "ah... look at this president look at his stress". They treated like a photo opt. One day when you have a kid and he/she goes into combat and comes back like that, would you really feel this good about them bypassing your kid's info and the only important thing there was "the prez was there"? They are under his watch now, it is hardly a Kodak Moment. Now, what many of you don't know, a particular usual poster here on JT who I know personally lost one his sons not too long ago. Obama didn't show up for that one coming back.
Hehehohohaha at 07:00 PM JST - 30th October

I would ask you quit trying silence us.

Oh please. This is the internet, who's gonna stop you? Certainly not any of the JT posters you spar with. So, continue the drama queen act if that is what need to do, but I would rather hear your ideas rather than your paranoia.
mtimjones at 03:31 PM JST - 1st November

This was nothing more than a photo op for a struggling president that can't make a decision unless it creates entitlements for future votes. Obama is "Jimmy Carter" part 2 (but less manly)...
OldGeezer at 04:50 PM JST - 2nd November

The relaxing of military rules was done so for political reasons. Only one family gave permission for photos to be taken. The remainder did not.
hworta269 at 06:06 AM JST - 5th November

I dont think they would have gone at all if that one family had not given permission to let the cameras come in. I would like to note about how this president almost gleefully used casualties when he was a senator to attck Bush's foreign policies in the Middle East. Also about how he has put his hand picked generals leaving voice mails for months and months when they say they need something.

Now lets not forget that Afganastan actually attacked America and the taliban and al qaeda did actually commit acts of war against the USA before talking about this and that.